Mas from Latina

Search form

Chi-Town: 15 Latino Celebrities From Chicago

Halfway between Los Angeles, California and New York City, lies the lively midwest city of Chicago, Illinois.

Chi-Town is home to some of the world's greatest pizza (sorry, Jon Stewart), the country's friendliest people, and the midwest's greatest comedy, theatre, music, and more. It's no surprise, then, that countless Latino stars got their start in the Windy City.

From Michael Peña to Aimee Garcia, these 14 celebs call Chicago their home:

1.
Michael Peña

Cesar Chavez star Michael Peña was raised by Mexican immigrants on Chicago’s South Side in the North Lawndale neighborhood across from Douglas Park. Before moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, he worked at Harris Bank in the Chicago Board of Trade.

2.
Raquel Welch

3.
Freddy Rodriguez

Freddy Rodriguez was born and raised in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago. “I went back to my old neighborhood, and I want to see familiar faces and no one lives there anymore,” he told us. “Someone said to me the other day, ‘Can you believe there’s a Marc Jacobs in Bucktown?’ I was like, that’s crazy. I remember in the ‘80s and ‘90s, I would get shot on that corner that Marc Jacobs is on.”

4.
Carmen Corral

Southland star Carmen Corral is proud of her inner-city roots. She told us, “Chicago’s known for its large immigrant communities. There were Mexican, Polish, and Puerto Rican people in the neighborhood. I love Mexican music. When you see me, you wouldn’t think I’d be pounding banda music, but I grew up with a live corrido at every party.”

5.
Aimee Garcia

Aimee Garcia was born, raised and educated in Chi-Town. She was born in Chicago proper, but moved to Oak Park as a child. Later, she attended Northwestern University in the northern suburbs. “Chicago is very near and dear to my heart,” she said. “I’m a Chicago girl through and through.”

8.
Marisol Nichols

9.
Tanya Saracho

Tanya Saracho, the writer behind Devious Maids and Looking, was born in Mexico, but later immigrated to Texas in the ‘80s. These days, the playwright and screenwriter calls Chicago her home. She told Chicago Magabout her love for the Midwestern city. “I have lived a lifetime here – a couple lifetimes here,” she said. “There’s something of my DNA here. The people here feed my soul. Walking down the street, or having an exchange at 90 Miles with another Cuban person, or somebody dancing in the restaurant while they wait for their order – even that little thing is so different than my life in L.A. I want to stay in Chicago.”

10.
Kiele Sanchez

11.
Rosa Blasi

Strong Medicine star Rosa Blasi cultivated her love for acting in the Windy City. She was born in Chicago, and studied theatre at the Piven Performance Company (owned by Jeremy Piven’s parents!) and at The Second City.

12.
Justina Machado

Justina Machado was born in Chicago to Puerto Rican immigrants. There, she attended Lane Tech high school and performed with the Latino Chicago Theater Company. She later moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting. “I’m from the Northwest Side," she said. "Logan Square is where my parents live. Every time I go back, Chicago is so different. The neighborhoods are so different. There are all these new restaurants. I’m always going to a new spot.”